Black Valley, The Hunt Begins

"You are all too kind."

Su Yun responded simply.

"Junior Brother Su Yun, let me introduce them to you properly: they are Jiang Feng, Li Changqing, and Mu Yu."

"Moving forward, the five of us will need to act together to destroy that Demonic Sect stronghold."

Chen Qingxue pointed at the three men and said with a smile.

Su Yun nodded, committing their names to memory.

"Let's go."

At this moment, Jiang Feng, who was clutching his long sword, spoke with a somewhat stiff expression.

He took the lead, mounting his swift horse and galloping forward.

The other two followed on horseback, remaining silent.

"These three are all among the top ten disciples of the Outer Sect. They possess remarkable talent and extraordinary backgrounds, so it is only natural for them to be a bit proud and arrogant."

Chen Qingxue explained from the side.

"Senior Sister, there is no need to explain; I naturally understand this."

Su Yun said with a smile.

"Very well, then let us set off now."

"Riding these swift horses, we should be able to arrive by this evening at the latest," Chen Qingxue estimated after tapping her toes and landing gracefully onto her horse's back.

The swift horses they were riding were a superior breed raised by the Mystic Blade Sect.

Traveling four or five thousand li a day was quite effortless for them.

"If the clearing operation goes smoothly, we can even go to Wanyang City to have some fun afterward," Chen Qingxue suggested with a smile.

"Wanyang City?"

Su Yun's heart stirred.

Wanyang City was a famous, large-scale city within Yunxiao Prefecture.

It was said to be extremely prosperous, with a massive population.

The ruler of this city was none other than the world-renowned King Wanyang!

This man's cultivation was exceptionally profound; he had once held off an army of evil cultivators from the Western Regions, rendering great service and commanding immense prestige.

As evening approached.

Streaks of sunset glow slanted across the horizon, casting light upon the group.

At this moment, they finally reached their destination.

During the journey, Su Yun had also gleaned some information from their conversations.

Although Jiang Feng and the others all hailed from prominent families within the Great Cloud Dynasty and possessed extraordinary backgrounds, their status paled in comparison to Chen Qingxue, who was a princess of the Great Cloud imperial family.

Moreover, Chen Qingxue's cultivation and strength also surpassed theirs.

Therefore, whether in terms of status or strength, they were all beneath Chen Qingxue and naturally dared not offend her.

"By the way, Senior Sister Chen."

"I heard from an elder in the sect earlier that your master, True Person Changhong, seems to have slaughtered a branch palace of the Demonic Fiend Palace and was seriously injured."

"The intelligence regarding these small Demonic Sect strongholds was all found within that branch palace. Is this true?"

Suddenly, Jiang Feng asked.

"My master prefers to act alone; how would I know about such things?"

Chen Qingxue replied indifferently, seemingly not caring at all.

In reality, her master's personality was indeed somewhat eccentric; he liked to act alone and was very mysterious.

Even she, his disciple, rarely saw him.

Su Yun and the other two listened to their exchange and then looked ahead.

Before them lay a rather remote mountain range.

The interior was overgrown with weeds and lush with dense forests.

It stretched on, seemingly without end.

Once one ventured deep inside, it would be easy to lose one's way and wander aimlessly.

It was indeed a perfect place to hide.

"Let's go, let's finish off these demonic cultivators quickly!"

Li Changqing exerted force with his right hand, gripping a cyan longblade tightly, his eyes sharp and glinting with a hint of excitement.

Hearing this, the other two nodded in succession.

Following the route on the map, they dashed toward the Demonic Fiend Palace stronghold.

Chen Qingxue and Su Yun followed behind at a steady, unhurried pace.

"Junior Brother Su Yun, once you break through to the Profound Origin Realm and officially become an inner sect disciple, you will be able to go to the Scripture Depository to select a Yellow-tier technique, or perhaps even a Profound-tier one."

As their figures leaped forward, Chen Qingxue suddenly spoke up.

Hearing this, the three in front shifted their gazes, unable to resist glancing back.

It was true; once one became an inner sect disciple, they could freely choose one Yellow-tier technique.

Even a Profound-tier technique was within reach!

"Senior Sister, what conditions must be met to select a Profound-tier technique?"

After a moment of thought, Su Yun asked.

If he had the choice, he would naturally opt for a Profound-tier technique.

However, he was well aware that there must be certain requirements he would need to fulfill before he could select a technique of that caliber.

"Junior Brother Su Yun, if you want to obtain a Profound-tier technique, you must pass the trial gate on the third floor of the Scripture Depository."

Chen Qingxue did not hide anything, answering him truthfully.

"Profound-tier techniques are all kept on the third floor of the Scripture Depository; they are quite precious and limited in number."

"That is why the sect has established such a rule."

"I see."

Su Yun nodded.

The group continued to push deeper.

Gradually.

The glow in the sky grew dimmer and dimmer as nightfall shrouded the mountains.

At a certain moment, the group came to a halt.

"We've arrived."

Jiang Feng gripped his longsword, his expression solemn.

Su Yun raised his eyes to look.

Before them lay a black valley of considerable size, situated at the heart of the mountain range, emitting a faint, fishy stench.

Faintly, one could see figures moving about within the valley.

Flickering firelight was scattered all across the area.

This was a small stronghold of the Demonic Fiend Palace!

"The three of you will conduct your trial in the outer perimeter; focus on slaying those Body Tempering Realm demonic cultivators."

Chen Qingxue's expression turned stern as she looked around at the three of them and issued her orders.

"Understood."

Jiang Feng and the others did not try to act tough, nodding in agreement.

At this moment, Chen Qingxue looked at Su Yun and spoke slowly.

"Junior Brother Su Yun, you should train in the inner perimeter. Aside from Body Tempering Realm demonic cultivators, there should be a few Profound Origin Realm ones there as well, which will yield good rewards."

Finally, Chen Qingxue cautioned him.

"You must not venture deep into the core of the valley. It is almost entirely occupied by Profound Origin Realm demonic cultivators, and there is even a Profound Origin Realm sixth-layer cultivator stationed there."

"I know you all have extraordinary potential, but your cultivation is still a bit low; do not push yourselves."

The group nodded, offering no rebuttal.

After speaking, Chen Qingxue drew a snow-white longsword, leaped into the air, and dashed toward the core of the valley.

Jiang Feng and the others also gripped their weapons and immediately headed for the outer perimeter, preparing to hunt down the Body Tempering Realm demonic cultivators.

With the strength of the three of them, even if one or two Profound Origin Realm demonic cultivators were hiding in the outer perimeter, they would be nothing to fear.

"It seems I am still being underestimated by Senior Sister."

Watching them leave, Su Yun shook his head inwardly.

In truth, no one in the Mystic Blade Sect truly knew his actual strength.

As for those who did, they were already dead.

"I hope the inner perimeter has plenty of Profound Origin demonic cultivators."

He composed his thoughts.

He looked toward the black valley, his expression filled with anticipation.

Having gone to such lengths to reach this demonic sect stronghold, he had to walk away with at least tens of thousands of contribution points, right?

Otherwise, wouldn't this entire trip have been a waste?

"Nightfall is truly a fine time for slaying demons."

Su Yun whispered to himself.

He gripped his black blade tightly, unleashed the Spirit Roc Movement Technique, and flashed forward, stirring up the scattered, withered yellow leaves.

Yet, just after Su Yun departed.

A figure in purple robes appeared on the branch of a giant tree.

It was an old man with a benevolent face.

He stroked his white beard, watching the black valley with a beaming smile.

"I hope these little ones can bring me a small surprise."

"Damn it! Enemy attack!"

"Ah!"

Before long, a series of roars erupted within the valley.

Torch after torch was lit by the inhabitants.

The scorching firelight illuminated nearly the entire valley.

Although this was only a small stronghold, its defenses were quite tight.

Thus, the moment Su Yun and his companions broke in, they were discovered.

However, none of them felt a shred of fear; they instantly sprang into action, beginning a slaughter!

Disciples of the Mystic Blade Sect possessed formidable strength among their peers.

Not to mention that they were the cream of the crop.

Therefore, these demonic cultivators were no match for them at all.

Swish!

At one moment, streaks of blood-colored blade light flashed across the night sky.

Eight or nine Body Tempering realm demonic cultivators, along with one first-level Profound Origin realm demonic cultivator, were decapitated before they could even react, falling into pools of blood.

Su Yun naturally did not waste any time.

He immediately began slaying enemies in the inner perimeter.

Extreme Shadow Fiend Blade: Slew multiple Body Tempering demonic cultivators in succession, decisively killed a peer-level demonic cultivator. Mood is good, gained some insights, successfully raised Blade Intent realm to 42%.

A notification sounded in his mind.

Shaking the blood from his blade tip, Su Yun pondered silently.

If he were to slay a few more Profound Origin demonic cultivators, could he raise his Blade Intent to 60%?

Or perhaps even 70%?

He was well aware that the higher the Blade Intent realm, the more difficult it became to improve.

If he could easily raise his Blade Intent here, it would be a massive harvest!

Coming back to his senses.

Su Yun looked at the numerous demonic cultivators surrounding him.

He could not help but reveal a smile.